What Is 2013 Presbyterian Blue Hose football

Overview

The 2013 Presbyterian Blue Hose football team represented Presbyterian College in the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as an independent, the team navigated a challenging schedule without conference affiliation after departing the Big South Conference following the 2012 season.

Under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Harold Nichols, the Blue Hose struggled to find consistency, finishing the year with a 2–9 record. Despite the tough season, the program continued to build experience and develop younger players for future competitiveness at the FCS level.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 2–9 overall record, marking a decline from previous years’ performances.
• Conference status: Presbyterian competed as an FCS independent in 2013, having left the Big South Conference after the 2012 season.
• Head coach: Harold Nichols led the team in his fifth and final season before being replaced following the year.
• Scoring: The Blue Hose scored 178 total points across 11 games, averaging 16.2 points per game.
• Home games: All home games were played at Bailey Memorial Stadium in Clinton, South Carolina, with a capacity of approximately 4,000.

How the 2013 Season Unfolded

The 2013 campaign was marked by growing pains as Presbyterian adjusted to life as an independent and faced a mix of FCS and FBS opponents. The team experienced both offensive struggles and defensive challenges throughout the season.

• Season opener: The Blue Hose opened with a 48–7 loss to FBS opponent UCF, who later played in the Fiesta Bowl.
• First win: Presbyterian earned their first victory on September 21 with a 24–21 win over Central Connecticut State.
• Second win: A 37–21 victory over NAIA team St. Andrews on November 23 accounted for their only other win.
• Offensive stats: Quarterback Riley Neal threw for 1,457 yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
• Defensive performance: The defense allowed an average of 38.5 points per game, struggling against both run and pass attacks.
• Season finale: The team closed the year with a 41–0 loss to VMI, highlighting ongoing development challenges.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 Blue Hose season compared to recent years in terms of performance and structure:

The table illustrates a downward trend in performance from 2010 to 2013, coinciding with increased competition and conference realignment. While scoring output declined, the move to independence in 2013 presented new scheduling challenges and reduced postseason opportunities.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year that underscored the difficulties smaller FCS programs face when competing independently. It also marked the end of Harold Nichols’ tenure, prompting a leadership change aimed at revitalizing the program.

• Program development: The season highlighted the need for stronger recruiting and player development pipelines.
• Coaching change: Harold Nichols was replaced by Tommy Spangler after the 2013 season, signaling a new direction.
• Scheduling challenges: As an independent, Presbyterian faced difficulty securing balanced and competitive matchups.
• Financial impact: Lower attendance and lack of conference revenue sharing strained athletic department resources.
• Player experience: Young athletes gained valuable game experience despite the team’s losing record.
• Future alignment: The struggles contributed to Presbyterian eventually joining the Pioneer Football League in 2021.

Ultimately, the 2013 season served as a difficult but instructive chapter in the Blue Hose football program’s evolution, setting the stage for future reforms and realignment.